Taj Tastic and Mendi Madness

The Taj closes at 5pm so we needed to get from the station to the hotel to the Taj gates in double quick time to make sure we got in. Hotel was a bit grotty but for a night it was fine and we legged it back down to meet our tuk tuk driver to get to the Taj to get in before the guards closed the gates.

With most attractions there is a general queue and a ladies queue so Liz was able to saunter off in to a much more civilised queue to get into the Taj grounds within the space of about 3 minutes. I on the other hand was in the worst queue in the world with people who had no concept of personal space!

The two guys behind me kept putting their hands suspiciously close to my pockets so I had to turn around and tell them where to go which didn't go down too well but they did stop momentarily. I was in spitting distance of the gate entrance when they decided to tell everyone that no more people would get in. I was close enough to be let in but what occured behind me was a bit of a worry. With the crowds being told that was it, they didn't turn around and say "oh well, better luck next time" they surged forward creating an almightly crush. Lucky for me I was behind a rather large bloke so at least landing was soft! As everyone surged forward the metal detector starting to fall down so I had to grab it to stop it landing on someone all the while the fat guy was doing nothing but leaning on me so it wasn't that easy. I also had the two idiot pickpockets now so close I couldn't keep an eye on my pockets, I think they were so close that they couldn't get anything - phew! Liz was in sight and resting against a wall watching all this with a look of concern on her face. Gald she wasn't in the crush.

Once in we strolled around the grounds taking in the marble palace! It really is an impressive place but feel that it is so hyped that you expect something almost unreal. Having said that we were quite fascinated by it and had a great time walking around and as always taking lots of pictures.

Our driver was waiting for us on our exit and took us to a great little place for some food where we were able to try some great local curry. After that it was off to bed as we had a full day to sightsee the next day.

Up we got, ordered some scrambled eggs to the room, fried eggs arrived with a cocky little b***** delivering them and charging us too much so after eating up and arguing over the bill we paid up and met our driver for some more sights of Agra.

Lots more temples, marble places and fabric place and we were getting a bit bored of the entrance fees so we asked our driver where Liz could get some mendi done on her arm. He told us that his niece had just done a course in mendi and would we be happy to go to his house for her to do it. Of course we were - we would rather pay her than be overcharged by some other person in a shop.

Soon enough we were sipping chai and Liz was being covered in henna. The guys niece did a great job and Lizzy was happy with the work. We gave the girl 300 rupees and it was like we had just bought her a pony - her face lit up and she was so happy we felt pleased we had her do it rather than someone else.

Another good bit of food and then off to the station for our train back to Delhi. Oh we did visit a jewelers and Liz purchased a bracelet to go with the marble box and 10 scarves we had bought earlier that day!

To Delhi.....

Sam